Fish Vertebrae Research Articles

Multilevel “fish vertebrae” in a patient with tumor-induced osteomalacia

Abstract Background and importance: “Fish vertebra” is an uncommon anomaly of vertebral body shape, consisting of central depression of the superior and inferior vertebral surfaces. It has been associated with various conditions: osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hyperparathyroidism, Paget disease, sickle cell disease, multiple myeloma and systemic lupus erythematosus. Clinical presentation: A 29-year-old male patient, previously treated for ankylosing spondylitis (with NSAIDs and TNFα inhibitor), without any clinical improvement, was admitted to our Neurosurgical Department. He complained of difficult gait, possible only with the aid of a cane, low back pain and bilateral hip pain, but without leg pain. He denied any history of recent trauma. Neurological examination was normal. Plain thoracic and lumbar spine X-rays revealed multilevel “fish vertebrae”. Lumbar spine MRI and contrast thoraco-abdominal CT scan showed fractures of multiple structures: left L4 pedicle, right L4 lamina and pars interarticularis, right II-VII costal arches, left I-V costal arches and bilateral sacral alae. We performed extensive laboratory tests that detected low seric phosphorous and PTH levels, with increased alkaline phosphatase, indicating a possible endocrinological cause for this condition. Subsequently, we decided to transfer the patient to an Endocrinological Department. A diagnosis of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia was established and increased FGF23 levels, later determined, suggested it was tumor-induced osteomalacia. Whole-body MRI was unable to locate the tumor, but Gallium-68 DOTATATE PET/CT revealed a small (15 mm in diameter), hyperfixating mass in the head of the right femur. The patient was treated with oral calcitriol and phosphate, with alleviation of symptoms. Surgical excision of the tumor was recommended, but the patient decided to postopone the operation. Conclusion: Modern medical imaging and biochemical testing have made the leap from merely observing vertebral biconcavities to diagnosing their cause and, consequently, the possibility to adequately treat uncommon causes of “fish vertebra”, such as neuroendocrine tumor-induced osteomalacia.

Experimental studies of personal ornaments from the Iron Gates Mesolithic

Personal ornaments, especially those made from the shells of marine mollusks and animal teeth, have been recovered from many Mesolithic sites across Europe. This paper reviews the evidence of personal ornaments from the Mesolithic of the Iron Gates, where such finds were identified in five sites on the Romanian bank: the cave and rock shelter sites of Climente II and Cuina Turcului, and three open-air sites—Icoana, Ostrovul Banului, and Schela Cladovei. The ornaments from these sites were made from the shells of several gastropod taxa and at least one species of dentaliid scaphopod, as well as the pharyngeal teeth of cyprinids, the teeth of several species of terrestrial mammal, fish vertebrae, and pieces of antler and bone. Particular attention is given to taxonomic identification and questions of taphonomy, provenance, selection, manufacture, and use. Experiments were conducted in which several types of ornament were replicated. Archeological and experimental pieces (at various stages of production) were examined under a microscope, to establish the durability of the beads and estimate the length of time over which they were worn. Our results show that shells of Lithoglyphus and Theodoxus sp. were simply perforated and fixed in composed adornments, as were shells of Tritia neritea in the early part of the time range. In the later Mesolithic, T. neritea shells were processed in a different way and fixed to clothing in the manner of appliques. No technological modification of the cyprinid teeth was observed; these were sewn individually onto clothing by means of a thread coated with an adhesive substance. The other categories of personal ornament were used mainly as pendants. Experimental use-wear analysis suggests that many ornaments were used over long periods, with broken or missing pieces replaced when necessary.

The influence of fish bone morphology on aquatic transport: An experimental approach through elements of Creole perch (Percichthyidae: Percichthys trucha; [Valenciennes, 1833

Many archaeological sites with fish remains are situated near ancient or current water courses. The origin of these time-averaged contexts requires an analysis considering possible non-human contributions and specifically the role of water as a highly selective agent. Element shape is a critical factor in all transport processes, but it has received little attention. The aim of this experimental work is to explore the hydrodynamic transport of fish bones considering the shape of anatomical elements. Different elements from Creole perch (Percichthyidae: Percichthys trucha; [Valenciennes, 1833]) individuals are utilized in dry conditions and under three different flow speeds. Transport groups, mode of transport and distance travelled are evaluated according to the shape of the elements. Fish vertebrae have the greatest transport potential. This experimental study indicates that hydrologic processes can impose biases giving a unique skeletal element composition in fish bone assemblages. A simplified differential transport model is proposed and an archaeological application of it is essayed.

Two Different Functions of Connexin43 Confer Two Different Bone Phenotypes in Zebrafish

Fish remain nearly the same shape as they grow, but there are two different modes of bone growth. Bones in the tail fin (fin ray segments) are added distally at the tips of the fins and do not elongate once produced. On the other hand, vertebrae enlarge in proportion to body growth. To elucidate how bone growth is controlled, we investigated a zebrafish mutant, steopsel (stp(tl28d)). Vertebrae of stp(tl28d) (/+) fish look normal in larvae (∼30 days) but are distinctly shorter (59-81%) than vertebrae of wild type fish in adults. In contrast, the lengths of fin rays are only slightly shorter (∼95%) than those of the wild type in both larvae and adults. Positional cloning revealed that stp encodes Connexin43 (Cx43), a connexin that functions as a gap junction and hemichannel. Interestingly, cx43 was also identified as the gene causing the short-of-fin (sof) phenotype, in which the fin ray segments are shorter but the vertebrae are normal. To identify the cause of this difference between the alleles, we expressed Cx43 exogenously in Xenopus oocytes and performed electrophysiological analysis of the mutant proteins. Gap junction coupling induced by Cx43(stp) or Cx43(sof) was reduced compared with Cx43-WT. On the other hand, only Cx43(stp) induced abnormally high (50× wild type) transmembrane currents through hemichannels. Our results suggest that Cx43 plays critical and diverse roles in zebrafish bone growth.

Some morphological features of fry of roach Rutilus rutilus (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes) after separate and combined exposure of embryos to magnetic field and elevated temperature

Separate and combined exposure of roach Rutilus rutilus embryos during the first 38 h after fertilization to magnetic field (500 Hz, 1.4–1.6 µT) and elevated temperature (23°?) causes morphological responses: decrease in mean values of length and weight of the body, increase in the number of vertebrae, and increase in the number of vertebral anomalies and morphological diversity of vertebral phenotypes. Size–weight characteristics and the number of vertebrae in underyearlings are related to the development of anomalies in its backbone. A method for counting of vertebrae in fish with backbone malformations is suggested.

Transcriptome analysis of vertebral bone in the flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Teleostei, Pleuronectiformes), using Illumina sequencing

The processes underlying vertebral development in teleosts and tetrapods differ markedly in a variety of ways. At present, the molecular basis of teleost vertebral development and growth is poorly understood. Understanding vertebral development at the molecular level is important for aquaculture to prevent vertebral anomalies that can arise from a variety of factors, including excess vitamin A (all-trans retinol, VA) in the diet. To facilitate studies on teloest vertebral development, we performed transcriptome analysis of four month old flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, vertebrae using next-generation sequencing. Expression profile obtained demonstrates that some members of the hh, bmp, fgf, wnt gene families, and their receptors, hox, pax, sox, dlx and tbx gene families and ntl, which are known to function in notochord and somite development in embryos, are expressed in the vertebrae. It was also showed that in addition to the retinoic acid receptor (Rar), the vertebrae express alcohol dehydrogenase 1 and retinal dehydrogenase 2 which convert VA to all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). The assembled contigs also included cytochrome p450 family members, which inactivate RA, as well as phosphatidylcholine-retinol O-acetyltransferase, which converts VA to all-trans-retinyl ester, a stock form of VA. These data suggest that in teleost vertebrae, expression of various signals and transcription factors which function in the notochord and somite development is maintained until adult stage, and RA metabolism and signaling are active to regulate transcription of RA-responsible genes, such as hedgehog and hox genes. This is the first transcriptome analysis of teleost fish vertebrae.

Applications of vertebral morphometrics in Pacific Island archaeological fishing studies

AbstractSignificant differences between fish bone identification protocols in Pacific Island archaeology and other regions (e.g. Europe and North America) have influenced the use of vertebral morphometrics for the reconstruction of fish length and weight. Fish vertebral morphometrics using vertebrae identified to taxon and type (e.g. caudal, thoracic) are routinely reported in the archaeological literature outside of the Pacific Islands. Conversely, in Pacific Island archaeological fishing studies, vertebrae that are not identified to taxon have been utilised to assess change in average fish vertebrae size, and to reconstruct changes in fish length and weight over time. Using a fish bone assemblage from a prehistoric habitation site on Ebon Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, we report false trends when vertebrae – not identified to taxon and type – are used to assess differences in average vertebrae size among cultural layers. These results are compared to the same assemblage where taxon and vertebra type are used to more accurately determine fish size. It is essential that vertebrae from Pacific Island fish bone assemblages are identified to taxon and type prior to assessing change in fish size over time, especially when investigating human impacts to finfish resources, capture technology or charting environmental change.

Growth, Food and Feeding Habits of Bagrus bayad and Bagrus docmac Inhibiting Muess Channel, Sharkia Province, Egypt

The present study aims to investigate the age and growth parameters as well as food and feeding habits of Bagrus bayad (Forskal, 1775) and Bagrus docmac (Forskal, 1775), belonging to the family Bagridae in the Muess Channel of Sharkia Province, Egypt. The relationship between total fish length and vertebra radius is described by straight line equations: L=6.714 + 13.88V and L=8.841 + 10.7 V for both studied species, respectively. The equations of the length-weight relationship for both studied species are expressed as: W=0.0057 X L3.1 for Bagrus bayad W=0.0068 X L3.05 for Bagrus docmac The vertebrae were used to estimate the growth parameters of von Bertalanffy,s equation. It is found that the L∞=87 cm, K=0.159 1/y and to=-1.25 years for B. bayad and L∞=89 cm, K=0.169 1/y and to=-1.275 years for B. docmac. Food and feeding habits of the two cat fish species were also studied through analysis of their stomach contents. B. docmac feeds mainly on invertebrates represented in shrimps, amphipoda, bivalvia and cephallopoda, while the most important food items of B.bayad are fish especially from Telapins and Clarias spp., together with parts of unidentified fishes.

An holistic ecological analysis of the diet of Cory's shearwaters using prey morphological characters and DNA barcoding.

Knowledge of the dietary choices and trophic niches of organisms is the key to understanding their roles in ecosystems. In seabird diet studies, prey identification is a difficult challenge, often yielding results with technique-specific biases. Additionally, sampling efforts are often not extensive enough to reveal intrapopulational variation. Immature animals, which may constitute up to 50% of a population, may occupy a significantly different trophic niche to more experienced birds, but this remains largely unexplored. We investigated the diet of Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) from Selvagem Grande, an island located off the northwest African coast, collecting a total of 698 regurgitate samples over three consecutive breeding seasons. The diet was assessed using two complementary approaches for prey identification: conventional morphological analysis (using fish vertebrae, otoliths and cephalopod beaks) and DNA barcoding of the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene, in cases where a positive identification could not be retrieved. Species assignments employed BLAST and distance-based methods, as well as direct optimization of the tree length based on unaligned sequences in POY. This method resulted in robust tree estimates and species assignments, showing its potential for DNA barcoding of stomach contents using hypervariable markers such as the 16S. The molecular approach increased taxonomic resolution and revealed an additional 17 taxa. Diet differed significantly according to breeding status, sex, breeding phase (prelaying and chick rearing) and year. Such direct evidence of trophic segregation within the same population has rarely been shown in seabirds and highlights the importance of including such variables in ecosystem-based management approaches.

Growth performance and bone mineralization of large Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed graded levels of available phosphorus

The effect of graded levels of dietary available phosphorus (AP) on large Nile tilapia (145.87 ± 9.51 g) performance, feed efficiency, body composition and mineral retention in vertebrae was evaluated. All male fish were distributed into three replicates in fiberglass aquaria (800 L each; 12 fish per tank) for 87 days and hand fed to pelletized diets three times a day until apparent satiation. Diets with approximately 302 g kg−1 of digestible protein and 15.2 kJ g−1 of digestible energy with graded levels of dibasic phosphate yield AP levels of 2.39, 4.17, 6.12 and 8.91 g kg−1. At the end of the trial, feed intake, hepatosomatic index, fillet yield, whole body moisture and crude protein of fish fed 2.39–8.91 g kg−1 of AP diets were not significantly different. The supplementation of 6.12 and 8.91 g kg−1 of AP resulted in significantly increased weight gain, whole body ash and calcium. Whole body crude lipids significantly decreased with increasing AP from 6.12 to 8.91 g kg−1. However, concentration of zinc in the vertebrae was not affected by dietary treatments. The magnesium contents of the fish vertebrae were lower in fish fed lower dietary AP level. No effects of the dietary AP on apparent digestibility coefficients of energy and nutrients were observed. The study indicated that the dietary AP level of at least 6.12 g kg−1 satisfies the needs for growth performance, body composition and bone mineralization of large Nile tilapia.

Did Dactylioceras eat fish?

Summary Ammonites that preserve evidence of their soft anatomy or gut contents are exceedingly rare. An example of the Toarcian ammonite, Dactylioceras , with tightly packed fish scales in the supposed position of the stomach, plus further scales and three articulated fish vertebrae in the approximate position of the crop, is described. The body-chamber is largely filled with fine sedimentary rock, but shows several thin areas now lined with diagenetic calcite where the sediment was unable to penetrate. These are interpreted as the positions of ammonite soft tissue because they line parts of the body-chamber, which is consistent with the idea that the stomach and crop remained intact long enough for their contents to be preserved in place. Inquilinism is thought unlikely as an explanation because the fish remains are largely disarticulated and packed together in the rear of the body-chamber, but the fish debris could represent food of an animal that sheltered within the dead ammonite shell. Equally, passive fill of the body-chamber with sediment containing fish scales seems unlikely due to the local concentration at the rear of the body-chamber. Possibly this Dactylioceras ate fish either as a predator or scavenger.

Animals in Mesolithic Burials in Europe

ABSTRACT Animal remains have been excavated in many Mesolithic burials. A large variety of skeletal and body parts (e.g. antlers, claws, hoofs, horns, long bones, mandibles, paws, skulls, tails and vertebrae) from different mammals were interred with the deceased. In addition, beaks, wings and long bones from birds, as well as teeth and lower jaws of fish were found. Vertebrae of snakes, carapaces of pond turtles and femora of amphibians, as well as opened and unopened mollusc shells were likewise included in burial inventories. On occasion, complete animals (dogs — Canis familiaris —, pigs, fawn, fish) or a fish soup were placed with the dead or in pits next to the grave. Animal finds could have been remains of sacrificial food offerings to the dead, raw material for items in the afterlife or left-overs from the funeral feast. Animal teeth, mollusc shells and, occasionally, vertebrae of fish were used in jewellery and to decorate clothing. Certain bones or body parts may have been amulets or items with a...

Fuller Albright, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, and Fish Vertebrae

HomeRadiologyVol. 268, No. 2 PreviousNext Reviews and CommentaryHistorical PerspectivesFuller Albright, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, and Fish VertebraeWilliam A. Murphy, Jr , Devon M. DiVitoWilliam A. Murphy, Jr , Devon M. DiVitoAuthor AffiliationsFrom the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 1475, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 (W.A.M.); and University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Tex (D.M.D.).Address correspondence to W.A.M. (e-mail: [email protected]).William A. Murphy, Jr Devon M. DiVitoPublished Online:Aug 1 2013https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.13122478MoreSectionsFull textPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In AbstractHistorically, it is fitting to accept the term fish vertebra as the synonym for severely demineralized biconcave human vertebrae, recognize the pattern as normal for many fish species, and honor Fuller Albright—who clearly linked the term with postmenopausal osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases.References1 Resnick DL. Fish vertebrae. Arthritis Rheum 1982;25(9):1073–1077. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar2 Rexroad JT, Moser RP, Georgia JD. “Fish” or “fish mouth” vertebrae? AJR Am J Roentgenol 2003;181(3):886–887. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar3 Abbara S, Kalan MM, Lewicki AM. Intrathoracic stomach revisited. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2003;181(2):403–414. [Published correction appears in AJR Am J Roentgenol 2003;181(3):887.] Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar4 Mulligan ME. Regarding “fish” or “fish mouth” vertebrae. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2004;182(6):1600. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar5 Reynolds J. A re-evaluation of the “fish vertebra” sign in sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 1966;97(3):693–707. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar6 Leaf A. Fuller Albright. Biogr Mem Natl Acad Sci 1976;48:3–22. Medline, Google Scholar7 Albright F, Smith PH, Richardson AM. Postmenopausal osteoporosis. JAMA 1941;116(22):2465–2474. Crossref, Google Scholar8 Albright F, Reifenstein EC. The parathyroid glands and metabolic bone disease: selected studies. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins, 1948; 141–144. Google Scholar9 Cabot RC. Back pain due to a symptom complex not generally recognized in this country, cases 18491 and 18492. N Engl J Med 1932;207(23):1054–1058. Crossref, Google Scholar10 Meulengracht E, Rothe Meyer A. Osteomalacia of the spinal column. Acta Med Scand 1937;92(6):584–602. Crossref, Google Scholar11 Ghormley RK, Sutherland CG, Pollock GA. Pathologic fractures. JAMA 1937;109(26):2111–2115. Crossref, Google Scholar12 Schmorl CG. Die pathologische anatomic der wirbelsäule. Verh Dtsch Ges Ortho 1926;21:3–41. Google ScholarArticle HistoryReceived November 25, 2012; revision requested December 27; revision received January 16, 2013; accepted January 24; final version accepted January 29.Published online: Aug 2013Published in print: Aug 2013 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited ByThe “Bovine Aortic Arch”: Time to Rethink the True Origin of the Term?L.J.Ridley, J.Han, H.Xiang2019 | American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol. 40, No. 2Fish vertebrae: OsteoporosisLloyd JRidley, JasonHan, William ERidley, HaoXiang2018 | Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology, Vol. 62Multilevel “fish vertebrae” in a patient with tumor-induced osteomalaciaD.Adam, D.Iftimie, GinaBurduşa, CristianaMoisescu2017 | Romanian Neurosurgery, Vol. 31, No. 3Case 34-2016Richard C.Cabot, Eric S.Rosenberg, Nancy LeeHarris, Jo-Anne O.Shepard, Alice M.Cort, Sally H.Ebeling, Emily K.McDonald, David A.Sweetser, Angela E.Lin, Maria J.Troulis, Teresa C.Chen, Sjirk J.Westra2016 | New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 375, No. 19Fish VertebraeFerris M. Hall, 1 December 2013 | Radiology, Vol. 269, No. 3Radiopaedia.orgDanielBell, TheRadswiki2010Recommended Articles Imaging Findings of Metabolic Bone DiseaseRadioGraphics2016Volume: 36Issue: 6pp. 1871-1887Craniofacial Manifestations of Systemic Disorders: CT and MR Imaging Findings and Imaging ApproachRadioGraphics2018Volume: 38Issue: 3pp. 890-911Vertebral Body Compression Fractures and Bone Density: Automated Detection and Classification on CT ImagesRadiology2017Volume: 284Issue: 3pp. 788-797Opportunistic Osteoporosis Screening with Cardiac CT: Can We Predict Future Fractures?Radiology2020Volume: 296Issue: 3pp. 509-510Radiologic Features of Type II and Type XI CollagenopathiesRadioGraphics2020Volume: 41Issue: 1pp. 192-209See More RSNA Education Exhibits Imaging Features of Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral and Bone Disorders (CKD-MBD)Digital Posters2019Osteogenesis Imperfecta: What the Radiologist Needs to KnowDigital Posters2020Metaphyseal Lesions - How Well Do You Know It? 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Use the backbone of your samples: fish vertebrae reduces biases associated with otoliths in seabird diet studies

A literature review showed that most recent conventional dietary studies of Procellariiformes have used otoliths alone to identify fish prey. Using data from a dietary study of Cory’s Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea, based on 673 regurgitates from adult birds, we quantitatively compared the contribution of otoliths and vertebrae for prey identification and quantification. By using otoliths alone, the importance of the main fish prey was greatly underestimated and several species would have been considered completely absent. Therefore, we strongly recommend the combined use of vertebrae, otoliths and other fish remains in order to improve the quality of dietary studies of seabirds.

Effects of dietary hydroxyproline on growth performance, body composition, hydroxyproline and collagen concentrations in tissues in relation to prolyl 4-hydroxylase α(I) gene expression of juvenile turbot, Scophthalmus maximus L. fed high plant protein diets

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary hydroxyproline (Hyp) on survival, growth, feed utilization, body composition, Hyp and collagen concentrations in tissues, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase α(I) (P4H α(I)) gene expression of juvenile turbot (initial body weight 8.11±0.01g) fed high plant protein diets. Seven isoproteic (50% crude protein) and isolipidic (12% crude lipid) experimental diets were formulated to contain 0.12, 0.33, 0.51, 0.60, 0.80, 1.03, and 1.23% Hyp, respectively. Quadruplicate groups of 35 fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 10weeks in indoor seawater recirculating system. The results indicated that growth performance and feed utilization were not significantly different among fish fed diets with graded levels of dietary Hyp (P>0.05). No significant differences were found in moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, and crude ash contents of whole body among dietary treatments. No significant differences in condition factor, hepatosomatic index, and viscerosomatic index were found among dietary treatments (P>0.05). Free Hyp level in plasma and total Hyp contents in liver and muscle were significantly increased as dietary Hyp increased (P<0.05). Free Hyp level in plasma of fish fed diets with equal to or exceeding 0.60% Hyp were significantly higher than fish fed other diets with lower Hyp (P<0.05). Fish fed diets with 1.03 and 1.23% Hyp had significantly higher total Hyp content in liver compared to fish fed diets containing 0.12 and 0.33% Hyp (P<0.05). Fish fed diets with equal to or exceeding 0.60% Hyp had significantly higher total Hyp and collagen concentrations in muscle than fish fed other diets (P<0.05). Total Hyp and collagen concentrations in muscle of fish fed the diet with 1.23% Hyp was significantly higher than other treatments (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in total Hyp and collagen concentrations in vertebrae of fish fed diets with graded levels of Hyp (P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in hepatic P4H α(I) gene expression (0.90–1.02) of fish fed diets with 0.12, 0.60, and 1.23% Hyp (P>0.05). However, fish fed diets with 0.60 and 1.23% Hyp showed significantly lower P4H α(I) mRNA levels in muscle compared to a fish fed diet with 0.12% Hyp (P<0.05). It can be concluded that supplementation of crystalline L-Hyp in high plant protein diets did not indicate positive effects on growth performance of juvenile turbot, but could increase tissues Hyp and muscle total collagen concentration. Although there was no significant effect on hepatic P4H α(I) gene expression, muscle P4H α(I) gene expression was decreased with dietary Hyp supplementation.

A Terramycin 200 for Fish (44.09% Oxytetracycline Dihydrate) Treatment Regimen Proposed for the Fluorescent Marking of Rainbow Trout Vertebrae

AbstractWe evaluated the efficacy of a Terramycin 200 for Fish (TM200; 44.09% oxytetracycline [OTC] dihydrate) treatment regimen proposed for fluorescent marking of the vertebrae of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Test fish weighed 36.6 ± 1.9 g (mean ± SD) at the start of treatment. The TM200‐treated feed was administered to six tanks of fish at a target dosage of 82.7 mg OTC·kg fish−1·d−1 for 10 d, while nontreated control feed was administered to three tanks of fish (20 fish/tank in each treatment group). After a 22‐d posttreatment period, vertebrae were extracted from all fish and were examined for fluorescent marks with a dissecting scope and ultraviolet light. The vertebrae of all treated fish were marked, whereas vertebrae of control fish were not marked. Consequently, the probability of marking success in treated tanks was significantly different from that in control tanks. The 95% CI for the proportion of treated tanks containing one or more nonmarked fish was 0.00 to 0.39. Analysis of treated feed samples revealed that the actual OTC dose administered to treated tanks was 73.4 ± 0.1 mg OTC·kg fish−1·d−1 (mean ± SD; 89% of target). The results indicate that the target TM200 treatment regimen administered in this study is suitable for the marking of Rainbow Trout vertebrae.

Peter's Ghost-Faced BatMormoops megalophylla(Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) from a Pre-Columbian Archeological Deposit in Cuba

Here we report a right dentary of Peter's ghost-faced bat Mormoops megalophylla from an archeological site in northern Matanzas province, western Cuba. The specimen was excavated from a pre-Columbian archeological cave deposit in association with stone tools, bivalve shells, snake and fish vertebrae, and capromyid (rodent) postcranial elements. Although the deposit is not directly dated, the relationship of the assemblage to the time of Amerindian occupation in this cave suggests an age between 1600 and 850 years BP Therefore, this report may constitute a probable ‘last occurrence’ date for M. megalophylla in Cuba. This bat is believed to have gone extirpated in the West Indies because of a combination of habitat-area loss due to climatic turnover during the late Pleistocene and human disturbance later in the Holocene. Based on new evidence, we add that climate-related bat extirpations could lag for several thousands of years after the onset of new environmental conditions, and that these can be easily ac...

Use of gamma correction pinhole bone scans in trauma.

(99m)Tc-hydroxydiphosphonate (HDP) bone scanning is a classic metabolic nuclear imaging method and the most frequently performed examination. Clinically, it has long been cherished as an indispensable diagnostic screening tool and for monitoring of patients with bone, joint, and soft tissue diseases. The HDP bone scan, the pinhole scan in particular, is known for its ability to detect increased, decreased, or defective tracer uptake along with magnified anatomy. Unfortunately, however, the findings of such uptake changes are not specific in many traumatic bone disorders, especially when lesions are minute and complex. This study discusses the recently introduced gamma correction pinhole bone scan (GCPBS), emphasizing its usefulness in the diagnosis of traumatic bone diseases including occult fractures; cervical sprains; whiplash injury; bone marrow edema; trabecular microfractures; evident, gaping, and stress fractures; and fish vertebra. Indeed, GCPBS can remarkably enhance the diagnostic feasibility of HDP pinhole bone scans by refining the topography, pathologic anatomy, and altered chemical profile of the traumatic diseases in question. The fine and precise depiction of anatomic and metabolic changes in these diseases has been shown to be unique to GCPBS, and they are not appreciated on conventional radiographs, multiple detector CT, or ultrasonographs. It is true that MR imaging can portray proton change, but understandably, it is a manifestation that is common to any bone disease.

Chasseurs épigravettiens dans le territoire de l’ours des cavernes : le cas du Covolo Fortificato di Trene (Vicenza, Italie)

The Covolo Fortificato di Trene site is located on the eastern slope of the Berici hills, Vicenza, in the middle of the great Po-venetian plain in Northern Italy, at a height of 360m.a.s.l. The cavity was the object of systematic excavations made by the University of Ferrara in 1956, which yielded a 1.14 m-thick deposit, subdivided into seven stratigraphic units. The lithic industry, associated with macromammals remains, bird bones and charcoal, ascribe the anthropic frequentation of the archeological layers to the early Epigravettian. This is confirmed by two dates obtained on bone (17.640±140 AMS 14C B.P. and 18.630±150 AMS 14C B.P.). This work presents a taxonomic revision and zooarchaeological analysis of already published faunal remains, whose spectrum shows a clear dominance of Ursus spelaeus over the other determined taxa. During human frequentation, the site was in a predominantly forest environment under cold-temperate climate conditions with wetland areas on the underlying plain, as shown by the presence of elk, deer, wild boar and fish vertebrae. The taphonomic analysis has shown anthropic traces on the remains of elk and cave-bear, which used the cave as den during wintering. The study focused on Ursidae remains, affected by butchering marks due to fur extraction, mostly from young individuals. Moreover, a limited comparison (Berici hills) with contemporary sites (Paina cave, Buso Doppio cave), associates cave-bear presence with shouldered points.

Evaluating fish scale preservation in sediment records from the oxygen minimum zone off Peru

Fish scales accumulating in marine laminated sediments can provide a record of population variability of small pelagic fishes. Although some studies have noted signs of scale degradation that could affect estimates of population variability, there are presently no well-developed means to evaluate degradation. We developed several indices as indicators of fish scale preservation in two box-cores that we collected off Pisco (14°S), one at 301 m near the center of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), and the other at 201 m near the upper limit of the OMZ. These indices include (1) an index of fish scale integrity (estimate of scale wholeness relative to fragmentation), (2) the fungi-free area of fish scales and vertebrae, (3) the ratio of fish scales to vertebrae (as well as fish scales to vertebrae and bones), and (4) the ratio of whole scales to fragments. We address whether lower numbers of anchovy scales occurring in association with reduced total organic carbon fluxes and higher bottom-water oxygen concentrations are due entirely to lower abundances of anchovy or whether differential preservation of the fish scales in the sediments plays an important role in reduced scale abundances. Comparison of temporal sequences between the two cores provides the means to assess whether there are differences in the preservation of fish scales. The combined indices indicate that the lower numbers of fish scales in the earliest period have been affected by degradation, and to a greater degree in the box-core from 201 meters, which can be subject to higher oxygen concentrations. On the other hand, decadal-scale variations in fish scale abundance within the period of better preservation are unlikely to be caused by degradation. We discuss the utility and drawbacks of different indices of preservation for reconstructing past changes in fish population sizes with fluxes of fish debris and also briefly discuss the utility of these indices to other paleobiological systems.